An Excerpt of The History of
St. Reddick Missionary Baptist Church
586 Pamlico Street
Belhaven, North Carolina

Early history compiled by the late Bro. Hubert Gibbs
Updated by Sis. Cynthia Heath

On September 2, 1907, the foundation of what was to become the St. Reddick Missionary Baptist Church began with the purchase of a lot in the Riddick Town neighborhood for the sum of forty dollars from G. L.  Swindell and his wife, Annie, both deceased.  The deed lists the name of the Church as the  Colored Second Baptist Church of Belhaven.  We have no documentation on the source of funds or the length of the fund-raising but it is assumed that it occurred over an extended period of time.

Although the founding members were passionate about their vision of a Church for  devoted  followers of Christ,  the realization of  their vision required much prayer and perseverance. So, it was not until 1908, that a few of God's humble servants met in the home of the late Bro. Oscar Murray and formally established the Church.  The first service was held in a bush shelter in the Riddick Town neighborhood  near the intersection of Pantego and Edwards Street where the first church structure was later built. It was called the Riddick Town Church by some and St. Riddick by others and was occasionally referred to as the Second Baptist Church.

In those early years, the church calendar most likely consisted of  morning and afternoon worship services on the first Sunday, Sunday School each week,  Wednesday night Prayer Services, Communion Services (quarter meeting) and Baptisms.

The following, have been identified as founding members —
          Sis. Lemon Gibbs  [see death certificate] [see obituary]  [buried in Black Bottom Cemetery]
          Sis. Addie Cherry  [see death certificate]  [buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery]
          Bro. Flynn Burrus [see death certificate]
          Sis. Beulah Burrus [see death certificate and obituary]  [see photo of Beulah compliments of Cynthia Heath]
          Sis. Almeta Stanley *  [see death certificate]

The first pastor, the late Reverend W. L. O. Boomer, established a solid spiritual foundation for the Church aided by the founding members, Deacons, Ushers, Choir, Missionary Circle and others in the community of faith.  Throughout the years, St. Reddick continued to prosper through  its spiritual  vision while becoming  widely known for its’ work in the faith community and beyond.

Throughout our one hundred and thirteen years of existence, God blessed the St. Reddick  Church Family as we  continued to build our spiritual legacy.   Situated on the corner of  Pamlico & Pantego Streets since 1921, our doors have always swung wide and welcomed everyone in the name of Jesus. Our archives do not contain an inclusive list of the officers  and members of the early church family .  However,  we have been able to verify that the  first official staff consisted of  Brothers Robert Weston, 1^st Deacon, Henry Fonville, 2^nd Deacon, Lillian Dunbar, secretary  and Nathaniel Harper, trustee and building committee.  Bro. Austin Murray, Bro Smith Weston and Bro. Nathaniel Harper are identified as trustees on the deed for that first land purchase. All are deceased.

St. Reddick holds distinction as the fourth House of Faith to be established for people of color in the Town of Belhaven.  In the years following its’ founding,  the membership experienced frequent bursts of growth as residents from neighboring Hyde County  and other areas moved to Belhaven due to employment opportunities and became members of the Riddick Town Church.  There are many family names spanning multiple generations that are listed in the Church’s historical archives, many of whom are listed as officers, chairpersons and members of the church’s various ministries. A detailed listing of all who have served may be found in the centennial book published in 2008.

Our archives indicate the following have served as pastors:
    Rev. W. L. O. [William Leonidas Onest] Boomer*, 1908 – 1921  [see death certificate]
    Rev. C. C. [Christopher Columbus] Gillette*, 1921 – 19??  [see death certificate]
    Rev. William E. [Edward] Coviel*, 1940 - ?  [see death certificate]
    Rev. Jordan*
    Rev. T. L. Bynum*, 1942 – 1952
    Rev. Robert Brown*, 1952
    Rev. George Brown*, 1952—1954
    Rev. James O. Rodgers*, 1954—1971  [see death certificate]
    Rev. Joseph Moore*, 1971—1976
    Rev. Don C. [Carlton] Morgan*, 1976—1979  [see death certificate]
    Rev. James W. Harris, 1980—2021

From its’ beginning, the Church affiliated with and participated in the Hyde County Baptist Association and remained active until membership was transferred to the Albemarle Union per a request from the late Reverend Joseph Moore early in his pastorate.

In 1921, a new church structure was built on the present site and was rebuilt in 1938.  Additional capital improvements have been made consistently during the years which provided much needed improvement for the spiritual program of the Church.  There are currently several projects in progress.

Though the sanctuary and fellowship hall have been flooded, we were able to recover speedily without permanent damage to the structure.  The floors of both have been elevated.  The church building was expanded in 1999 with the addition of an annex has not been flooded.  The annex houses the offices of the pastor and church secretary, three Sunday School classrooms and gender specific restrooms.

The following Organizations have been financially supported by various ministries within the Church:
    Oxford Central Home for Children
    Shaw University
    Roanoke Association
    Albemarle Union
    St. Dorcas Ministry (dissolved)
    Belhaven Fire Department
    The Salvation Army
    Pungo District  Hospital (Vidant Hospital—Pungo, closed)
    Belhaven Alumni Club
    Belhaven Fire Department
    Northeast Elementary School
    Shepherd’s Staff (dissolved)
    American Red Cross
    Boys & Girls Club—Belhaven Unit
    Belhaven  Youth Recreation Program
    General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina
    Roanoke Missionary Baptist Association

Our Sick Fund and Benevolent Committee provide emergency assistance for the members of the Church family, community and surrounding areas.

Affiliations & Incorporation
National Baptist Convention of the USA
General  Baptist State Convention of  North Carolina
Roanoke Association
Albemarle Union
Incorporated July 26, 2005 by the State of North Carolina

 

 Land Purchases

September 2, 1907:  40’ x 80’, $40.00
Riddick Town neighborhood

September 15, 1916: 150’ x 50’, $80
Corner of Pantego and Pamlico Streets, current site

March 1, 1921: $350
current site

September 20, 1975: 150’ x 50’
$10 and other valuable considerations
lot adjacent to Church, Pamlico Street

September 10, 1982: $10 and other valuable considerations
lot at rear of Church, Pantego Street

 Highlight of  Major Capital Improvements

1973:   Addition of brick façade to exterior; Construction of Fellowship Hall; Purchase of Hammond Organ
1980:   Purchase and dedication of new pews
1985:   Installation of a public address system in sanctuary; Installation of central heating and air conditioning in sanctuary; Purchase of furniture for choir rooms and Pastor’s  Study
1992:   Installation of central heating and air conditioning system in the Fellowship Hall; Replacement of  furniture in the dining area of the Fellowship Hall
1993:   Installation of Baptismal Pool in the sanctuary; Purchase and installation of new stained glass windows in sanctuary
2000:   General landscaping of grounds
2001:   Purchase of a 14 passenger van
2003:   Installation of speakers in the Fellowship Hall; Purchase of digital color copier; Purchase of public address system
2004:   General repairs made to the sanctuary; Purchase of  Hymnals
2008:   Purchase of the American Flag and the Christian Flag; Remodeled  choir rooms for storage
2010:   Resurfaced parking lot adjacent to Church; Replaced black & white copier; General Repairs to sanctuary and fellowship hall
2011    Elevation of  floors in the Sanctuary, Choir Rooms and Fellowship Hall to mitigate flooding; General Repairs  to sanctuary, fellowship hall & choir rooms
2014    Installation of sound system complete with video capabilities; Replacement of  piano in sanctuary
2015    Installation of new marquee on front lawn of Church
2021    Replacement of roof on Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall and Annex; Upgraded wiring in Sanctuary and Fellowship and added security lighting to the exterior of the Church; Reframing of windows in the sanctuary and fellowship hall

2022 Front view with entrances to the sanctuary, Fellowship Hall & Annex	The Sanctuary

Our Cornerstones

Our Current Church Census

Our Roster of Members has declined and is being updated to distinguish between active and associate members. Many who are listed on our current roster do not live in the immediate area but do continue to support the church. We previously estimated the
membership count to be 140 which included active and non-active members.

Annual Events

January: Dr. King Celebration; Distribution of Special Events Calendar

February: Black History Month

March: Family & Friends Day

March/April: Resurrection Sunday Services

May: Men’s Day

June: Pastor’s Anniversary

July: Women’s Day

August/September: Revival

September: Homecoming

October/November: Youth Day

November: Harvest Rally

December: Christmas Visits (to homebound members and residents at Pantego Nursing Home, coordinated by the Sunday School Ministry) Ordination Services Services of Dedication Baptisms Services of Consecration Watch Night Services Installation Services Musicians’ Appreciation Services

Communion is observed quarterly - March, June, September and December

Our Current Ministries

 Board of Deacons (vacant)
Board of Deaconesses
Sunday School
Board of Mothers
Watch Care
Benevolent Committee
Sick
Mission
Youth Enrichment
Men’s Fellowship
Board of Ushers
Combined Choir
Beautification Committee
Pastor’s Aid Committee
Van/Transportation
Kitchen/Hospitality
Scholarship
Board of Trustees
Baptist Training Union (BTU)

The St. Reddick Church Family is proud of its spiritual heritage and of those members who have accepted the Call to the Ministry of Jesus Christ.
 
The following members have been ordained by the Roanoke Association and have been called to a pastorate:
    Rev. Lawrence Satchell, Sr.
    Rev. Johnsie Whitfield Cogman
    Rev. Marian Barrow

The following members were licensed by the Albemarle Union:
    Eldress Lizzie Ebron* - licensed prior to membership
    Pastor Lawrence Satchell, Sr.
    Rev. Dr. Johnsie Whitfield Cogman
    Pastor Marian Barrow
    Rev. Kenneth Barrow
    Rev. Rydia Spencer  [see photograph from her Facebook page]
 
The following former members are licensed and/or ordained by other Associations:
    Minister Michael Mackey
    Minister Golet Holloway, Jr.
    Minister Hilda Holloway
    Elder Jeffrey Spencer
    Rev. Dr. Sheresha Russell
    Minister Beverly Russell
    Rev. Dr. Johnsie Whitfield Cogman
 
The following members served as Association or Regional Leaders:
    Rev. Lawrence Satchell, Sr. - Moderator, Albemarle Union
    Rev. Dr. Johnsie Cogman - Superintendent Washington East District;  Baltimore Washington Conference  [see photograph from the staff directory]
 
St. Reddick has remained a community minded House of Worship and continues to serve as a harbor for the ships of Friendship, Kinship and Worship as our doors are truly hung on friendship and cemented with love.

Just as other churches, businesses and organizations were impacted by the COVID Pandemic, so was St. Reddick.  Our doors were shuttered following our Family and Friends’ Day Celebration on March 20, 2020 and remained so until June 20, 2021 (Father’s
Day). A powerful morning sermon was delivered by the Elder Jeffrey Spencer, a former member of our Youth Ministry.

While shuttered, the church continued to function with Sunday School, Bible Study and Worship Services delivered via teleconference and have continued though we have returned to in-person services. A monthly newsletter was published and mailed to each
household within the Church Family.

During December 2020, the current pastor tendered his resignation effective March 31^st concluding a pastorate of 4 decades at St. Reddick.  Members sought the guidance of the Roanoke Missionary Baptist Association and formed a Pastoral Search Committee to conduct a search for a new pastor. The Committee is prayerful searching for a final candidate to whom a Call to the Pastorate will be issued. As the Committee searches, the Rev. Rydia Spencer has been elected to serve as Associate Pastor whose tenure will conclude once A Call to the Pastorate has been accepted.

Through it all, St. Reddick’s spirit of Christian and brotherly love continues to serve as “God's shelter from the storms of life" and we thank God for the humble submission of our fore parents to the Will of God.  Through the 113 years of existence, our archives named eleven spirit-filled men who have served as pastors here at St. Reddick.

God has blessed the St. Reddick Church Family and we have continued to build on our legacy of Christian mission by supporting the Oxford Central Home for Children, Shaw University, the Roanoke Association, the Albemarle Union, the General Baptist State Convention, St. Dorcas & Shepherd Staff Ministries (both now disbanded), Belhaven Fire Department, Salvation Army, Pungo District Hospital, Belhaven Alumni Club and the American Red Cross and others. Our Sick Fund and Benevolent Committee provide additional benevolence for the Church family, community and surrounding areas as do many of our Auxiliaries.

We have come this far by faith from a small "Bush Tent" congregation and as we continue in our second century, we trust we will never forget the road over which we have traveled and that we never forget tp glorify and praise God for His Grace and Mercy that has enabled us to do His Will.  We are living today to leave a legacy for tomorrow. Let it be filled with the patience and perseverance as that of our forefathers and foremothers.

Before there can be an ending, there must be a beginning.
        Every chain is made of a series of links;
        Every link is an important link and
        No link is more important than the first
        Because there must be a first link
        Before there can be a last link.

There is much to be done and will be done but are thankful to the Lord for all that He has allowed to be done and for guiding us every step of the way. It is our sincere prayer that, in God’s time, pastor and people, church and community will truly become God’s Pearls of Great Price.

While a few names were mentioned in the historical highlights, it has taken every member to contribute in the make up of the great clouds of witnesses that have been a part of our journey in faith.  May this church stand in the years to come as it has stood these past 102 years.  May this Branch of Zion continue to stand as a living monument of faith and a witness of a Savior who died that all may find the way of salvation and life. 

To God Be The Glory!

St. Reddick Memorial Membership List
(Some individuals were not members at the time of their death.)

Charlie Alexander Carey Alexander David Alexander, Jr. Annie Arthur Albert Baker Bertha Ballance Bedie Barber Harold Barber Henry Barber James Barber Lucille Burrus Barber Moye Barber Pernell Barber Jessie Barber Sudie Bell Barnhill William Barnhill Ida Mae Barrow James Barrow Magnolia O. Barrow Willie M. Barrow, Sr. Zebedee Barrow, Jr. Zebedee Barrow, Sr. Rosita F. Blackwell Frank Borden Jr. Nina Faye Barrow Borden Laura Bell Boyd Lucy Boyd Bill Bradshaw Earl Bradshaw Jurene Bradshaw Scottie  Bradshaw

Deidre Brewer Sarah Brimmage David Brown Monseal Brown Pauline Brown Stella Brown Claude Bunch Esther Bunch Oswald Bunch Nelson Bunch Beulah Burrus Celestine Burrus Dorothy D. Burrus Edna Louise Burrus Edward J. Burrus Flynn Burrus Harry Lee Burrus Harry Lee Burrus, Sr. Mildred B. Burrus Mildred L. Burrus Nora D. Burrus Ollie Mae Burrus William Harold Burrus Victoria  Bynum Bryant Byrum Ida J. Chadwick Addie Cherry Almeta Clark Annie Clark Assie Clark Fred Clark Julie Clark

Martha Ann Clark Mattie Clark Virginia B. Clark Patsy Clayton Joseph  Conner Sr. Sarah Conner Hattie Ann Coviel Helen S. Coviel Jack Coviel Lee Thomas Coviel Valencia Coviel Pheobe Cox Costella Crandall Albert Crawford Ella Credle Julia Credle Sallie Credle Aaron Davis Annie Spencer Davis Floyd Davis Ollie Fred Davis George Davis George Davis, Sr. Hattie Davis James A. Davis Phrocine Davis Kate Dudley William Edward Dudley Lillian Dunbar William Dunbar George R. Ebron Helen L. Ebron Lizzie M. Ebron Perry Ebron Bertha  Ensley

Daisy Ensley Rena Evans Rosa A. Evans Mable L. Everette Carl Fonville Gregory Fonville Henry Golet Fonville Janie Fonville Lether Fonville Ronald Fonville Rosie Fonville Rosita Fonville Georgia Forbes Harriet Fulford Leonard Gaskins Liza Gaskins Lizzy Gaskins Carolyn Coviel Gay Ada Gibbs Charles Gibbs Dave Gibbs David Gibbs George Gibbs Gertrude Gibbs Hubert Gibbs Layton Gibbs Lemon Gibbs Luther Gibbs Northa Gibbs Phyllis Gibbs Rev. Luther Gibbs Rosa W. Gibbs

Thomas Gibbs Vandella Gibbs Zachariah Gibbs Elijah Gray Della B. Green Pelege Green, Sr. Pelege Green, Jr. Shirley Fonville Green Charity J. Greene Flonnie Greene George A. Greene Shirley Fonville Greene Amanda Griffin Celestine Griffin Harlem Griffin Mack Griffin Mahaley J. Griffin Queen Esther Griffin Hardy Halsey James Ollie Halsey Martha Halsey Teadie Halsey Louise Hampton Ruth F. Hardy Nathaniel Harper Beatrice L. Heath Charlie Heath Emily Hembry John Hembry Wisey Annie Adams Lanier Hill John Hill Chester R. Holloway Clayton Holloway Harriet M. Holloway

Johnnie Holloway Kate Holloway Keith Holloway Lillie Mann Holloway Marshal Holloway, Sr. Mary Holloway Mike Holloway Norris S. Holloway Robena C. Holloway William Holmes Elijah Howard Kenneth Howard Lizzie Howard Mary Jane Howard Mayhue Howard Olivia Howard Howard Hudson Blanche Jiles Clifton Jiles, Jr. Clifton Jiles, Sr. Della Lee Johnson Mary Frances Johnson George Jones Gwendolyn Swindell Jones James Jones Lizzie Jones Peggie M. Jones Nellie Jones Dorothy Keyes Gary King Queen Esther King Steven King

Della Lee Agusta Leith James Leith Lessie Linton Mary E. Lucas Minnie Lucas Thomas Lee Lucas Warren Lucas Bernice C. Mann Carlos Mann Jack Mann Marina  Mann Odessa O. Mann Pink Mann William Mann Lydia O'Neal Mason John McAllister Corum McCullough Sr. Corum McCullough Jr. Lee McCullough Odein McCuller Matilda Moore Olive Moore Andrew Murray Anna Murray Austin Murray Charlotte W.Murray James Murray Robert  Murray Sally Ann Murray Thomas Murray Albert Nijman Alice Nijman Mary W. Nimons

Fred Palmer Lucinda Palmer Lula C. Palmer Charlie Patterson Letha Patterson Elbert Peartree Josephine Peartree Louise Boyd Peartree Willie Peartree Dallas Peartree, Sr. Faye Della Percy Rhoda Pledger Mary A. Ross Catherine Sadler Gracie Sanders Liston Sanders Mary M. Sanders Theodore Satchell Donald R. Satterthwaite Francis Selby Jesse Sellby Joe Ann Silvers Aaron Simpson Hannah Simpson Johnnie Simpson Ann Jones Slade Sophie Smallwood Beatrice Smith Francis Smith Sally D. Smith Alice H. Spencer Audrey H. Spencer Clarena Spencer

Clarence Spencer James Spencer Johnny Spencer Margie Spencer Martha Spencer Onnie F. Spencer Petronia Spencer Sam Spencer Almeta Stanley Alonza Stanley Anderson Stanley Daniel Stanley Fred Stanley Inez Stanley Lonnie Stanley Matthew Stanley Wilbert Stanley Joseph Swindell Lucy Swindell Rachel L. Swindell Rosa Bell Swindell Tommy Swindell Mary Ella Taylor Chappell Topping Connie Topping Daniel Topping Myrtle M. Topping Zinkie Topping John Wahab Obie Wahab Rosa Wahab Earliner Davis Ward Helene Gray Ward Ivory Ward Jr.

Julia M. Heath Ward Nancy M. Ward Annie Warren Jessie Warren Doris Bradshaw Washington Argie T. Weston James Weston Robert Weston Virginia D. Weston Corinne White Mamie White Mary Lizzie White Peter White Annie S. Whitfield Ella Spencer Wilkinson Mary A. Windley Rev. Richard Worrell Zuradia Worrell

© 2022 Kay Midgett Sheppard